Jill,
Thanks for the reply!
The minimal opening has been with me for several months! Dec? and it has been getting progressively worse and now it is so minimal I can barely speak
I have been unable to work for the past month and half and now my leave is coming to an end- I am desperate for relief and wonder how I could even get into a splint- one of my DDs/TMJ univ specialists doesn't even think I need a splint- I am SOOO confused!Time is of the essence- but I don't want to do anything else stupid that will make it worse! I am soo scared.Mine was not caused by trauma such as accident, but by opening mouth too wide I guess on several; occasions during sinus condition. Is it too late for me? This TMJ specialst also wants to try jaw mobilization while I am sedated. Have you heard of that?
The way my jaw is feeling soo not wanting to move at all- I am thinking I need to do something quick!
I hope you read this today and respond.
Thanks for your input!
Yogi

HI---I am actually traveling up to see my tmj specialist on Mon. for my appt., so I will ask him how he would go about starting treatment on someone like yourself, with a very minimal opening. I am familiar with the joint mobilization under sedation, and to be honest with you, that is risky as well. Think about it...someone is going to manipulate the delicate workings of your tmj, not really knowing if they are causing further damage to the ligaments, discs, etc. I have heard of some tmj specialists injecting lidocaine (sp) into the joint, to cause pressure and possibly shift the disc back into it's place...and then giving the patient a soft splint until the joint has time to rest, and until the neuromuscular testing can be completed....but I would have to ask him about how he would handle your case right off the bat, to get a better idea. Did you try the gag reflex trick yet? If it has been dislocated since Dec...you may still be able to recapture the discs...time is of the essence though. I will get back to you on what my dentist says on mon. afternoon. Take care, J.

Hi Jill,
I tried to search for some nueromuscular DDS's yesterday and left a message with one- many are not open on Fri
My opening has been so minimal for awhile and it did happen gradually- I am wondering if the gag will work- or anything? Do you think my jaw will still function? I need to do something NOW and it's so frustrating because there aren't any clear answers it seems. The other bad thing is that I already put a deposit down fro WED
It adds another level of difficulty that I live on an island and travel to other places is challenging.
This is making me crazy!
I am not going to be able to go back to my job if I don't get some resolution in the next few weeks and then I will lose my health insurance which leaves me with a mouth that is not functioning- I guess they convinced me that the surgery would get me open and I would be able to get on with a normal life. What if they sedated me and got me open to get impressions? Would my mouth stay opened?
I know they are going to be upset if I cancel and then they may not treat me and they are considered one of the top tmj places here-
I regret so many decisions I have made about this and don't want to regret more- also- I will not be able to pay my bills if I can't work- and I don't think my insurance will be there either-then what?
I am in a tight place and now it seems like the surgery is
not the way to go- does it really only work for trauma or structural damage?
How could they tell me that this will work for me and is the best option and then everything I read here warns me against it? It sounds so promising when they talk to me about it- aside from the fact that this piece of equipment is new Although I have read that some cases of a locked jaw get better with arthocentrisis- I am just scared because so much time has gone by and I WILL be doomed if much more goes by -
Help- need further guidance
thanks and take care
yogi

Hi again,
I know this seems like an impossible situation. Also, I fully understand that you need to get back to work, and that money is an issue...This past Wed...my family claimed
20K on my medical deductions from my tmj specialist, other doctors, and my last dentist's attempt to help me, that failed miserably.(He was not NM or a FJO) It took me 4 mo. of straight research to find the new tmj specialist to help me. I know exactly how desperate and frustrated you are. If you do call NM dentists, make sure that when you are calling and interviewing them that you ask if they practice Functional Jaw Orthodontics. If they don't, I would move on. IMO, it's better to find a dentist that can do both phase 1, and phase 2 treatments. I can't really comment on your surgeon or dentist wanting to do this procedure, and the outcome you would have. If you were my daughter, I would not go this route. I would consult with a tmj specialist like I was saying.
Look on the top of the tmj page at the great tmj doctors thread....maybe there is a NM dentist in your area on it.....? hang in there...J.

Thanks Jill!
I am just wondering how long I will be able to open my mouth and speak like I am- I feel as if I have NO TIME and I mean NO TIME to fudge around (what could I do if my jaw totally locked/closed?!)and definitely don't want to do a procedure that may make it worse- but I also know that so many around me think I should do it and AM going to do it and they will be more than p.o'ed if I change my plans.
Is it possible for someone who has been locked up for soo long with such minimal opening to get help?!!! and be functional???
Any other input highly appreciated!
Panicked yogi

HI---LIke I stated before, with acute locks, (less than 6 mo..) sometimes tmj specialists will inject lidocaine (sp) into the joint, to cause pressure and hopefully move the disc back into place..this is just one procedure that can be done in the dentists' office....but it's invasive, so that's why I want to ask my tmj doc. what he would do in that situation. Yes, you can be unlocked, and Yes, you definitely can function afterwards, regardless if your discs are recaptured or NOT. The posterior ligament will act as the disc, in its place in some cases, and a normal opening will return. It is not a hopeless situation by any means. Take care, j.

Thanks Jill!
I guess I am just freaking out because my lock has been that long- not this severe, but that long and I am finding it very difficult to eat, etc!
Thanks so much for all of your input! I right need support right now.
Hope you are well
yogi

Is this TMJ specialist who is proposing to do the arthroscopy a Maxillofacial surgeon Ė if not then I wouldnít want him to carry out the procedure, especially as he hasnít done that before.

The reason they might be telling you itís the best treatment for you, and not suggesting neuromuscular dentistry is because the method they are suggesting to you is the mainstream treatment option. The neuromuscular dentistry is not considered to be mainstream, but I believe itís actually better and less invasive than the more standard mainstream options.

I see you mention you had an MRI. What did that tell you is wrong with your TMJ?

I have TMD but have not experience closed lock. But from things I have read, I understand that if you are not able to open your mouth wide enough for a neuromuscular dentist to make impressions for a splint, then they can make you a different sort of temporary splint to start without impressions. Have you also tried looking on the AACFP group of dentists?

Hi, Thanks for your reply. Yes it is a tmj specialist using a new piece of equipment. He has done the procedure before with older equipment is my understanding. I wish I would've heard of the nueromuscular DDs earlier I feel like I don't have time to find one and get an appt, due to my work deadlines and my situation. My opening is EXTREMELY limited and seems to be getting worse.
My MRI showed anteriorly displaced disks with linear fluid signal through middle of one, with a tear/perforation- if that means anything to you. No osteophytes.
My main problem has been my opening that is really locked down and scary-impeding my speech now and I feel like this is an issue that has to be resolved in a very timely fashion. They are planning the arthroscopy/arthocentrisis for this week.
Any other thoughts?
Thanks
yogi-ps what is the other dental assoc you mentioned, I am not familiar with the initials.
Thanks- peaceful thoughts to you

The group AACFP is the American Academy of CranioFacial Pain. My TMJ dentist who I see in the UK is a member of that group. The neuromuscular dentists use splints to change the position of the jaw, as an incorrectly positioned jaw is what could have caused the anterior displaced disc in the first place. They would be able to tell you if it’s the position of your jaw that is the problem. If you have surgery and the jaw is still incorrectly positioned, then the surgery wouldn’t be addressing the route cause of the problem, although it might ease the symptoms for a period of time. The trouble with the neuromuscular dental treatment is that it’s not normally covered by medical insurance.

Hi,
Thanks for the reply.
I don't think my jaw is in bad position- just disks are displaced and my opening is minimal. I don't know if that is seen as structural damage which Laura sia was the thing surgery would help. I am wondering if the procedure will help with my opening mainly and how much?
If it can, that is what I am looking for- because it has been so long that this has been going on. I need help! If my mouth closes any more it will be totally locked
Thanks for
any thoughts
Yogi

I didn't know my jaw was incorrectly positioned until the TMJ dentist told me. I have anteriorly displaced discs, and if my lower jaw is moved forward my a few mm's with a lower splint, they can be recaptured. Apparently as my jaw was slightly too far back, this caused my discs to become squeezed out of position. It caused me clicking and cracking in my TMJs on opening and closing, and facial and neck pain, but not severely limited mouth opening.

I tried to see if I could send you a private message but you don't seem to have that facility switched on. Is there a neuromusular dentist near to you who you could see for a second opinion? I'm not sure where abouts you are. I wish you all the best with what you choose to do.

Hi Jill Any thoughts from your specialist?
I am due for my procedure manana and I am VERY apprehensive- wondering ahwt else could be done to get me back to work by end of next week- wondering if this will be the greatest thing or something else.
Hope u are well
Yogi

Have you talked with your doctor some more? I really recommend sitting down with him and sharing your concerns and questions prior to the procedure. It really is best to work through your fears and hesitations and I doubt he would mind. It is imperative that you not go into this with such heavy anxiety. It will not help you any as you go through the surgery and recovery. Please, please, set up a time to talk with him. It won't hurt anything and really, the only effect on you it could have would be positive. It will give you a more definite sense of whether or not you want to pursue it.